Summary of Evaluations Performed by theJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on
Food Additives

ACRYLAMIDE

Functional class:

CONTAMINANT

Latest evaluation:

2005

Comments:

For morphological changes in nerves the no-observed-effect level was 0.2 mg/kg bw per day; the margin of exposure at mean intake was 200 and at high intake was 50. For reproductive, developmental, and other non-neoplastic effects the no-observed-effect level was 2 mg/kg bw per day; the margin of exposure at mean intake was 2000 and at high intake was 500. The Committee concluded that adverse effects based on the above endpoints are unlikely at the estimated mean intakes, but that morphological changes in nerves cannot be excluded for some individuals with very high intake. For cancer the benchmark dose lower confidence limit was 0.3 mg/kg bw per day; the margin of exposure at mean intake was 300 and at high intake was 75. The Committee considered these margins of exposure to be low for a compound that is genotoxic and carcinogenic and that they may indicate a human health concern. Therefore, appropriate efforts to reduce acylamide concentrations in foodstuffs should continue.